Our first glimpse of the Heidelberg Castle is from one of the narrow streets leading from the river up to the main street.
We have learnt that the castle was built as early as the 13th century. It ranks as one of the most important Renaissance ruins north of the Alps. One resident was the ruler of the Palatinate and Heidelberg, Elector Friedrich V who, in 1613, married Elizabeth Stuart. She was the daughter of James I of England, and the marriage was one of political convenience to bond their two Protestant states. Unfortunately for them, Catholic forces defeated Friedrich’s in 1622, taking possession of Heidelberg, and forcing the couple to live out their lives in exile.
At a height of 80 metres above the old town, the castle has an imposing presence.
Heidelberg is also known for Hauptstrasse, at about 1.6km, thought to be the longest pedestrian street in Germany. We are faced with a choice – to climb to and explore the castle, or to explore the shopping street. With rather limited time at our disposal, and some cravings for coffee, wandering the shopping street wins! We are not disappointed.
The coffee and cakes are indeed very good.
There is something about watching a fountain when it is raining
No shortage of gold to adorn the statuary
It takes more than a shower or two to deter the window shoppers on Hauptstrasse.
The Church of the Holy Spirit was built over 150 years in the 15th and 16th centuries and faithfully restored after a fire in the 18th century. It was shared by Catholics and Protestants, sometimes simultaneously, over several centuries. Now used exclusively by Protestants, the dividing wall was removed in 1936.
Not far away, is the interesting facade of the Jesuit Church, built in the 18th century.
Built as the home of a cloth dealer in 1592, the Hotel Ritter is claimed to be one of the most historically significant and artistically valuable houses in the town.
It was nice to see a promotion to attract tourists “down-under”.
Footnote: As Heidelberg is not on the Rhine, our afternoon excursion saw us taken by coach from Speyer to Heidelberg, while our cruise ship continued to Mannheim. Our coaches took us back to the ship at Mannheim in time for dinner.
At the appointed pick up point and time, our coach captain was rather concerned that his headcount was two short. It was then I received a text message
“Hold the coach, we’re coming!”
The length of Hauptstrasse, and the attractiveness of its shops, had taken its toll on our travelling companions.